History of Imelda Staunton in Timeline
Dame Imelda Staunton is a celebrated English actress and singer with a distinguished career spanning stage and screen. Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she began her career in repertory theatre in 1976. Staunton has garnered significant recognition for her performances, earning numerous awards including a British Academy Film Award and four Laurence Olivier Awards. She has also received nominations for prestigious awards such as the Academy Award, British Academy Television Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Emmy Awards.
January 1956: Birth of Imelda Staunton
Imelda Staunton was born in January 1956.
1976: Start of Theatre Career
Imelda Staunton began her career in repertory theatre in 1976.
1976: Graduation from RADA
Imelda Staunton graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in 1976.
1979: Title Role in "Saint Joan"
Staunton played the title role in Shaw's "Saint Joan" at the Northcott Theatre, Exeter in 1979.
1982: Role in "The Beggar's Opera" at the National Theatre
Staunton played Lucy Lockit in "The Beggar's Opera" at the National Theatre in 1982, meeting her future husband, Jim Carter, during the production.
1982: Olivier Nomination for "The Beggar's Opera"
Staunton was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for her role in "The Beggar's Opera" in 1982.
1985: First Laurence Olivier Award
Imelda Staunton won her first Laurence Olivier Award for Best Supporting Role in a Play for her work in "A Chorus of Disapproval / The Corn Is Green" in 1985.
1986: Film Debut in "Comrades"
Imelda Staunton's first big-screen role was in the 1986 film "Comrades."
1986: The Singing Detective Appearance
In 1986, Imelda Staunton appeared in "The Singing Detective".
1987: Role as Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz"
Staunton played Dorothy Gale in the Royal Shakespeare Company's revival of "The Wizard of Oz" in 1987.
1988: Olivier Nominations
Imelda Staunton received Olivier nominations for her roles in "The Wizard of Oz" and "Uncle Vanya" in 1988.
1988: Role as Sonya in "Uncle Vanya"
Staunton played Sonya in "Uncle Vanya" in 1988.
1990: Baker's Wife in "Into the Woods"
Imelda Staunton originated the role of the Baker's Wife in the London production of "Into the Woods" in 1990.
1990: Start of "Up the Garden Path" and role in "Antonia and Jane"
Imelda Staunton started her role in the sitcom "Up the Garden Path" and appeared in "Antonia and Jane" in 1990.
1991: Role in "Antonia and Jane"
Staunton appeared in the film "Antonia and Jane" in 1991.
1991: Olivier Award for "Into the Woods"
Staunton won the Best Actress in a Musical Laurence Olivier Award for her role in "Into the Woods" in 1991.
1992: Role in "Peter's Friends"
Imelda Staunton acted in "Peter's Friends" in 1992.
1993: Birth of Daughter Bessie
Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter's daughter, Bessie, was born in 1993.
1993: If You See God, Tell Him Appearance
In 1993, Imelda Staunton appeared in the television show "If You See God, Tell Him" with Richard Briers and Adrian Edmondson.
1993: Appearance in "Much Ado About Nothing"
Staunton appeared in the film "Much Ado About Nothing" in 1993.
1993: Roles in "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Deadly Advice"
Staunton appeared in the films "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Deadly Advice" in 1993.
1993: End of "Up the Garden Path"
Staunton's sitcom "Up the Garden Path" concluded in 1993.
1994: Mole's Christmas Voice Acting
Imelda Staunton provided voice acting for "Mole's Christmas" in 1994.
1995: Role in "Sense and Sensibility"
Imelda Staunton acted in the film "Sense and Sensibility" in 1995.
1995: Citizen X and Is It Legal?
Imelda Staunton appeared in the HBO movie "Citizen X" and the sitcom "Is It Legal?" in 1995.
1995: Start of "Is It Legal?" and role in "Citizen X"
Imelda Staunton began starring in the sitcom "Is It Legal?" and appeared in "Citizen X" in 1995.
1996: Role as Miss Adelaide in "Guys and Dolls" revival
Imelda Staunton played Miss Adelaide in a revival of "Guys and Dolls" at the National Theatre in 1996.
1997: Olivier Nomination for "Guys and Dolls"
Staunton was nominated for an Olivier Award for her performance in "Guys and Dolls" in 1997.
1998: SAG Award for "Shakespeare in Love"
Imelda Staunton shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Performance by a Cast in "Shakespeare in Love" in 1998.
1998: End of "Is It Legal?"
Staunton's sitcom "Is It Legal?" finished airing in 1998.
1999: Diary of a Provincial Lady Radio Appearance
Imelda Staunton appeared on the radio drama "Diary of a Provincial Lady" in 1999.
1999: Role in "David Copperfield"
Staunton appeared in "David Copperfield" in 1999.
2000: Voice role in "Chicken Run"
Imelda Staunton lent her voice to the film "Chicken Run" in 2000.
2001: Role in "Another Life"
Staunton appeared in the film "Another Life" in 2001.
2003: Role in "Bright Young Things"
Imelda Staunton acted in "Bright Young Things" in 2003.
2004: BAFTA Award for "Vera Drake"
Imelda Staunton won a BAFTA Award for her leading role in "Vera Drake" in 2004.
2005: Role in "My Family and Other Animals"
Imelda Staunton acted in "My Family and Other Animals" in 2005.
2005: Little Britain Appearance
Imelda Staunton made a guest appearance as Mrs. Mead in "Little Britain" in 2005.
2005: Role in "Nanny McPhee"
Staunton appeared in "Nanny McPhee" in 2005.
2006: Appointed OBE
Imelda Staunton was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2006 New Year Honours for services to drama.
2007: Roles in "Freedom Writers" and "How About You"
Imelda Staunton acted in "Freedom Writers" and "How About You" in 2007.
2007: Role in "There Came a Gypsy Riding"
Imelda Staunton appeared in the premiere of "There Came a Gypsy Riding" in 2007.
2007: Dolores Umbridge in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix"
Imelda Staunton played Dolores Umbridge in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in 2007.
2007: Cranford Appearance
In 2007, Imelda Staunton played Miss Pole in the BBC series "Cranford".
2007: Role as Dolores Umbridge
Staunton played Dolores Umbridge in "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" in 2007.
2008: A Bunch of Amateurs Release
In 2008, Imelda Staunton starred in the film "A Bunch of Amateurs" alongside Burt Reynolds, Derek Jacobi, and Samantha Bond.
2009: Role as Kath in "Entertaining Mr Sloane"
Imelda Staunton played Kath in "Entertaining Mr Sloane" in 2009.
2009: Taking Woodstock Release
Imelda Staunton played Sonia Teichberg in Ang Lee's "Taking Woodstock", released in 2009.
2010: Return as Dolores Umbridge and Role in "Nanny McPhee Returns"
Imelda Staunton reprised her role as Dolores Umbridge in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1" and appeared in "Nanny McPhee Returns" (Another Year) in 2010.
2010: Alice in Wonderland Release
Imelda Staunton voiced the Talking Flowers in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" in 2010.
2010: Olivier Nomination for "Entertaining Mr Sloane"
Imelda Staunton was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for her role in "Entertaining Mr Sloane" in 2010.
2010: Reprise of Dolores Umbridge
Staunton reprised her role as Dolores Umbridge in "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1" in 2010.
2011: Voice Role in "Arthur Christmas"
Imelda Staunton had a voice role in the film "Arthur Christmas" in 2011.
2011: Psychoville Appearance
Imelda Staunton played Grace Andrews in the second series of "Psychoville" in 2011.
2011: The Awakening Release
In 2011, Imelda Staunton played a lead role in the ghost film "The Awakening".
2011: Doctor Who: "The Girl Who Waited" Appearance
In 2011, Imelda Staunton voiced the Interface in the Doctor Who episode "The Girl Who Waited".
2011: Role in "A Delicate Balance"
Staunton appeared in a revival of "A Delicate Balance" in 2011.
2011: Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd"
Staunton began her role as Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd" in 2011.
2012: Emmy and BAFTA Nominations for "The Girl"
Imelda Staunton received Primetime Emmy Award and British Academy Television Award nominations for her portrayal of Alma Hitchcock in "The Girl" in 2012.
2012: The Pirates! Band of Misfits Release
Imelda Staunton voiced Queen Victoria in the Aardman film "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" in 2012.
2012: The Girl (TV Movie) and Award Nominations
In 2012, Imelda Staunton portrayed Alma Reville in the HBO film "The Girl". This performance earned her BAFTA and Emmy Award nominations.
2012: "Sweeney Todd" transfers to London
The Chichester Festival Theatre production of "Sweeney Todd" starring Imelda Staunton transferred to London in 2012.
2013: Olivier Award for "Sweeney Todd"
Imelda Staunton won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in "Sweeney Todd" in 2013.
2014: Gypsy Performance
From October 6 to November 8, 2014, Imelda Staunton played Mama Rose in "Gypsy" at the Chichester Festival Theatre, and her dog Molly also appeared in the production.
2014: Begins Role in "Gypsy"
Imelda Staunton began performing as Rose in a revival of "Gypsy" in 2014.
2014: Maleficent and Pride Release
Imelda Staunton co-starred in the film "Maleficent" and the British comedy-drama "Pride" in 2014.
2014: Centenary: Words and Music of the Great War Release
In 2014, Imelda Staunton, her husband Jim Carter, and Show of Hands released the album "Centenary: Words and Music of the Great War".
2014: Paddington Release
In late 2014, Imelda Staunton voiced Aunt Lucy in the film "Paddington", based on the Paddington Bear books. Her Harry Potter co-star Michael Gambon voiced Uncle Pastuzo.
2014: Roles in "Pride" and "Paddington"
Staunton appeared in the films "Pride" and "Paddington" in 2014.
2015: Olivier Nomination for "Good People"
Staunton was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in "Good People" in 2015.
2015: "Gypsy" Transfers to London
The production of "Gypsy" starring Staunton transferred to London in 2015.
2016: Olivier Award for "Gypsy"
Imelda Staunton won an Olivier Award for her performance in "Gypsy" in 2016.
May 2017: Role in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
In May 2017, Imelda Staunton starred as Martha in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" at the Harold Pinter Theatre. The performance was broadcast as part of National Theatre Live.
November 2017: Role as Sally in "Follies"
In November 2017, Staunton played Sally in a revival of "Follies" at the National Theatre, which was broadcast through National Theatre Live.
August 2018: Joins Downton Abbey Cast
In August 2018, Imelda Staunton joined the cast of "Downton Abbey".
2018: Olivier Nomination for "Follies"
Imelda Staunton was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for her role in "Follies" in 2018.
2019: Role in "Downton Abbey"
Imelda Staunton acted in the film "Downton Abbey" in 2019.
January 2020: Cast as Queen Elizabeth II in The Crown
In January 2020, it was announced that Imelda Staunton would play Queen Elizabeth II in the fifth season of "The Crown".
May 2020: Trying Premiere
Imelda Staunton began starring in the Apple TV+ series "Trying" in May 2020.
July 2020: The Crown Extended to Six Seasons
In July 2020, "The Crown" was extended to a sixth season, with Imelda Staunton confirmed to continue her role as Queen Elizabeth II.
2020: Role in "Flesh and Blood"
Imelda Staunton acted in "Flesh and Blood" in 2020.
May 2021: Trying Season 2 Premiere
The second season of "Trying" premiered in May 2021.
2022: Role as Queen Elizabeth II in "The Crown"
Staunton began playing Queen Elizabeth II in the Netflix series "The Crown" in 2022.
2023: Continued Role as Queen Elizabeth II in "The Crown"
Imelda Staunton continued portraying Queen Elizabeth II in "The Crown" in 2023.
2024: Endorses Labour Party
Imelda Staunton endorsed the Labour Party in the 2024 UK general election.
2024: Role as Dolly Levi in "Hello, Dolly!"
Imelda Staunton is set to play Dolly Levi Gallagher in a revival of "Hello, Dolly!" in 2024.
